It’s a daily struggle, this juggling act between motherhood and career. You have a wonderful job and dream of getting ahead of the rest. But you have this little mouth to look after and leave behind as you climb the corporate ladder.
The work puts food on the table, a roof over your loved ones’ heads, and gives you a wide network of friends. More importantly, it gives you a sense of fulfillment.
But not all is paradise in this world away from home. You hear your baby’s bawling and cries of hunger while you’re driving to work. You see his imploring eyes as you stare blankly at the computer.
Guilt is a number one stressor—and boy, do you feel it gnawing at you. It makes you watch the clock while you’re at your workstation. It makes you want to overtake every single car on your way to home.
And when you arrive, huffing and puffing, stress shortens your breath as you run up the stairs to your child’s room. You force a smile as your child looks up from whatever he’s doing to greet you. Must this be your routine, day in and day out? Of course not!
Here are some tips to help you cope:
Unwind.
Inhale and exhale your cares slowly. Close your eyes for one minute and focus. Take a warm shower. Go out for a brief walk. Do mild sit-ups and stretching exercises. Take a power nap. Read a good book.
Laugh out loud.
It’s a cliché but laughter still is the best medicine. So turn on the TV set and laugh your worries away. Read a joke book and watch your cares vanish in gales of laughter.
Talk to friends.
Don’t leave your friends out of the equation just because you’re a working mom. They will lend you an ear as you pour your heart out to them. They will cry with you and laugh with you. In other words, they will make you feel better. You’ll need them, especially when the chips are down.
Get help.
Go ahead, get a trusted nanny. You can leave routine chores – preparing the bed, tidying the room, ironing clothes – to her. This will leave you free to pamper yourself, read a book to your child, or check his homework.
Pray.
Leave all your worries, especially about your child, to Him. Faith is a big stress buster. It erases worry lines and makes you enjoy life better by giving you confidence because He’s in charge – always.
Yes, you can be a happy career woman and a fulfilled mom. It may be hard at first but you can do it. Remember, a mom happy with her work pulsates with a sense of purpose which can spread good vibes at home. She also serves as a role model to her child, who learns all about work ethics even without being taught about it.
Work well at the office and love with all your might at home. It pays to do both – all the time.